Canvas stretching frame



April 1964 I 'r. E. DRISCOLL ETAL CANVAS STRETCHING FRAME Filed April 9, 1963 I H VENTO Rs i V I M A dwm United States Patent ()filice 3,127,695 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 This invention relates to frame construction and, more particularly, to a canvas stretching frame for mounting artists canvases.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact frame assembly over which an artists canvas may be stretched and mounted in a simple and convenient manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide canvas frame construction including a rectangular frame manufactured from extruded aluminum, which can be economically fabricated and effectively used for stretching and mounting artists canvases thereupon.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, and partly broken away, of a canvas stretching frame assembly made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional perspective view of various components of the present invention, illustrating the manner in which the parts are assembled; and

FIGURE 3 is a rear perspective view of the assembly shown in FiGURE 1, illustrating the manner in which the frame assembly is assembled.

Referring now to the drawing, a canvas stretching frame asembly 18 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a rectangular frame having four perpendicularly related sides 12 which are preferably constucted from extruded aluminum for maximum strength, economy, and uniformity. The rear edge of each side member includes a reen'trant portion 14 defining a socket 16 for purposes hereinafter more fully described.

On the inside surface of each side member 12, is a longitudinally extending rib 18 which forms an abutment 20 that serves as a keeper for retaining the end of a canvas sheet in assembly with the frame, as will be also hereinafter more fully described. The frontal edge 22 of each side member 12 is of generally arcuate cross sectional configuration, so as to provide a smooth surface over which a rectangular canvas sheet 26 may be stretched.

The canvas sheet 26 has four outwardly tapered sides 28. A gripper strip 30 having a plurality of serrations 32 along one outer edge, is secured to the rearwardly facing side of each tapered side 28 of the canvas sheet 26, such as by glue, adhesive, or the like.

The size of the canvas sheet 26 and the tapered sides 28 are in proportion to the size of the rectangular frame over which it is to be stretched. The tapered sides 28 eliminates material at the corners, which would otherwise cause bulging, creasing, and the like.

In assembling the canvas sheet to the rectangular frame, the sheet is placed upon the frontal edge 24 of the frame in the manner shown in FIGURE 1. It will be noted that the tapered edges of the canvas sheet extend slightly beyond the serrations 32 of the gripper strip 30. Thus, as the strips are folded upwardly and inwardly into the sockets 16 of the sides 12, the serrations 32 engage with the overlapping portion of the canvas to grip it and secure it within the sockets 1-6 without slipping. Thus, by moving the folded canvas and gripper strips 3-9 from the position shown on the left side of FIGURE 2 to the fully assembled position shown on the right side of FIG- URE 2, the canvas is evenly stretched over the frame and uniformly securely held in place. A part of the canvas is compressed and clamped between the abutment surface 26 of the longitudinal ribs 13 and the adjacent edges of the gripper strip 3%, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

It will thus be recognized that through proper dimensioning of the parts, and proper sizing of the canvas sheet, the canvas sheet can be quickly and easily applied to the rectangular frame with simple manual pressure readily exerted without undue strain, special tools, or skill.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A canvas stretching frame comprising, in combination, a rectangular frame having perpendicularly related sides defining smooth frontal edge, each of said sides having a smooth outer surface, the rear edge of each said side defining a rearwardly facing convex surface and a forwardly and inwardly opening socket of generally U-shaped cross sectional configuration, a sheet of canvas having four tapered sides and a central rectangular area overlying said frontal edge of said frame, a gripper strip secured to the rearwardly facing side of each of said tapered sides, each said gripper strip being foldable rearwardly with said respective tapered sides of said sheet of canvas about said outer surface and convex surface of each side of said frame, the outermost edges of said gripper strips being received within said sockets of said frame guides, the inside surface of each said frame side defining a longitudinal rib, and the innermost edges of said strips compressing an intermediate portion of said tapered sides of said canvas sheet against said ribs.

2. A canvas stretching frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outermost edge of each said gripper strip includes a plurality of serrations.

3. A canvas stretching frame as set forth in claim 2, wherein said frontal edge of said frame is of generally arcuate cross sectional configuration.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,562,105 McDonald Nov. 17, 1925 1,848,498 Shrauger Mar. 8, 1932 2,235,874 Freeman Mar. 25, 1941 2,586,031 Hahne Feb. 19, 1952 2,978,022 Winnan Apr. 4, 1961 

1. A CANVAS STRETCHING FRAME COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RECTANGULAR FRAME HAVING PERPENDICULARLY RELATED SIDES DEFINING SMOOTH FRONTAL EDGE, EACH OF SAID SIDES HAVING A SMOOTH OUTER SURFACE, THE REAR EDGE OF EACH SAID SIDE DEFINING A REARWARDLY FACING CONVEX SURFACE AND A FORWARDLY AND INWARDLY OPENING SOCKET OF GENERALLY U-SHAPED CROSS SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION, A SHEET OF CANVAS HAVING FOUR TAPERED SIDES AND A CENTRAL RECTANGULAR AREA OVERLYING SAID FRONTAL EDGE OF SAID FRAME, A GRIPPER STRIP SECURED TO THE REARWARDLY FACING SIDE OF EACH OF SAID 